Don’t make assumptions about who does or who doesn’t know about the expensive items in your home. You should protect your home and your family by investing in a quality home security system. The following article will give you some great home security tips to help make your home a more secure place.
Be sure your roof, floors, and ceiling are fire resistant. This adds an extra layer of protection to your home, especially if you live in a very dry area with power lines. It’s best to prevent a fire before it starts.
Providing a key to the person cleaning your home can be acceptable, but you must be sure they are honest and worthy of your confidence. If they need the keys and plan on being in there for more than an hour, try to ensure that they are honest, hardworking, and reputable. Check their references fully. If the cleaner is from a firm, try calling the local BBB to find out about the firm’s reputation.
Do not post on your social media accounts regarding when you will be away on vacation. If you do, burglars will know you’re not home and strike.
Get advice from loved ones about home security systems. They probably have both positive and negative things to tell you, and those comments will help you make your own decision. Make sure to ask neighbors for advice too.
See if your local police department offers any home inspection or other protection programs. Many programs include how to use some engraving tools to create code numbers for identifying valuables that are stolen, home inspection, and advice on protective measures. A quick call to the non-emergency number at the police station in your town will tell you all you need to know.
Attached Garage
The walls are a perfect hiding place. Small items of value can be hidden for safety in your home’s walls. You can use the opening provided by an electrical switch plate or other device that is not being used. A security store will sell fake plates you can install anywhere.
Secure your attached garage. Some people are concerned about burglars entering through an attached garage. Use a C-clamp to secure the door if it’s off track.
If you install a security system, make certain to hide the wires well. An intruder can cut the wires or disconnect them and avoid the system. Don’t make it easy for an intruder, have the wires buried or hidden within the home’s walls. You’ll be safer.
Annual check-ups are important for alarm systems. This is a job for professionals; get a security firm to inspect your equipment. Wild animals, domestic pets, and weather are all factors that can affect the reliability of your home security system. If you aren’t paying attention, you may not be aware of these problems.
If you are moving in your new home, ensure all the old locks are replaced. Even if the previous owner or tenant seems trustworthy, you have no way of knowing how many copies of the key they made and distributed. There are other people who have lived in the home as well.
End your shyness. Speak with your neighbors. Keep an eye on their houses and yards and request that they return the favor. Never neglect gossip. You could learn important security information, such as if strangers have been lurking around the neighborhood.
Before you let security company representatives into your home, check their ID. Having the name of the technician coming to your house ahead of time can help to ensure you are allowing someone who really works for the company into your home. This can put your family and possessions in danger. Be cautious to stay safe.
Any program to improve the security of your home should begin with complete replacement of your door locks. There are many different people who might have keys from your past, and removing the potential of them accessing your home can be a very good idea. It doesn’t cost much and they can usually show up within a day.
Whenever seeking out home-security companies, the Internet can be a valuable resource, so utilize it. Research the possibilities, check out package options and pricing and analyze customer feedback. Put together a list of the different home security companies you want to know more about and give them a call.
If you have skylights, do not neglect them when making sure your home is secure. Skylights are excellent for beauty and light, but it’s easy for burglars to gain access to your home through them. Any skylights in your home should be secured with strong hardware.
Get your home security system custom built for your needs. Everyone has specific wants and needs when it comes to securing their home, family and belongings. When you choose a company that pays close attention to detail in creating your home security plan, you will feel very secure.
Consider hiding valuables within your walls. This does not mean that you should make alterations to your walls. There’s plenty of places in a house with pre-cut areas that can be used. For example, place jewelry in an unused electrical outlet.
Make sure a surveillance system is part of your home security system. A wonderful way to make your home safer is by putting in hidden or visible cameras. Visible cameras can deter many intruders and if they disable them, the hidden cameras can still capture footage. Some security systems can be accessed with cell phones, so you can check on your house while you are away.
Security System
If you purchase a new, pricey electronic like a TV or computer, don’t leave the empty box near your curb. Burglars can see these and they know that you have them in your home, increasing your chances of a break-in. Cut the box up and hide the writing when you put it out.
Keep your home security system’s wires under cover. One of the ways an intruder can get around a security system is by disconnecting or cutting the wires. Do not make things simple for a burglar, but rather bury all wires or hide them in the wall. Keep yourself safe.
Can someone standing in the middle of the street see clearly your house numbers? If there is need for cops to come to your home, it will be hard for them to find it if the numbers are not readable or are tiny. There is a cheap and quick fix if you see an issue.
If you have purchased any large and/or expensive items, do not throw the boxes away until the day before the trash man is scheduled to come. Having these boxes around for a while will give people an idea of what is inside your house.
If you have rooms that are off limits to kids and company, the following is a great solution. It is possible to have locks that require just codes, not keys. You can install them yourself or you can hire a home security firm.
If you’ve just gotten a home, replace every lock. Regardless of how you feel about the sellers, you never know someone’s true intentions. Bear in mind that other people may have lived in the home before the previous owner.
Talk to your security company about the contract; in particular, inquire about the various contract lengths that are available to you. Each likely has its benefits and drawbacks. Longer contracts may offer more affordable monthly payments; however, it may be hard to cancel that contract should you decide to change services or sell your house. If you want more freedom, it is best to purchase a more expensive but shorter contract.
Before letting a home security representative inside, ask for identification. Thieves often pose as security company representatives in order to enter homes and look for valuables. This can be risky for you and your belongings. Be very careful with who you let into your home.
Always keep your shades, curtains and blinds closed when you are not at home. If you leave them open, potential burglars can look in and case the joint. They may break in if they spot something that they like. Keep them down when you’re asleep, too.
Ask your home security company how long they have been in business before you sign up for service. Many years of service bode well for the company’s performance. It also ensures they’re not a fly-by-night firm.
Don’t hide keys in obvious areas. If you place it under a rock, a good robber will find it. Doormats are the first place people look at. The most secure thing you can do is to entrust your key to a reliable neighbor or a friend you can count on. If you can’t do that, you must think creatively to find a good place to keep a spare key.
Make sure your home’s exterior is well lit. A burglar prefers to sneak around in the dark, and a well lit house is always a deterrent. Light up the dark spots around your home. Some examples include first story windows, garages, doorways and porches.
Most people like to avoid their neighborhood gossip; however, you should consider having them on your side. Busybodies may be quick to notice when someone odd is checking out your house. If you make friends with them, it’ll be like having another set of eyes watching your home.
Don’t leave empty boxes for big-ticket purchases outside on your curb. This will just alert criminals to the fact that you have expensive items in your home. Cut up the boxes completely instead.
Women living alone or with just children are targeted more often than others. Place large, muddy boots at your doorstep so it looks like a big, burly fellow lives there. This will make criminals think twice before breaking into your home.
If you’ve got guests that you don’t want in particular areas of the home, close the area off so it is not accessible. You can instead get key-less locks that work using a code. Many home security companies will install these, and there are also do it yourself kits available.
Although locks are good to use, you could not use them outside. Therefore this will not be of use to you. One of the most secure locks is a deadbolt that has a key to lock it from both sides of the door and cannot be opened by an intruder.
If you have windows that are open to the street, be sure and cover them at night. You would not want to tempt outsiders to look through your window. If the crooks can see what you own, then they are going to target you next. Reduce the risk of being burglarized by being careful about what people can see.
Obviously, owning a big dog that has a frightening bark has its benefits. A large, vocal dog is an unwelcome sight to would-be home invaders. You should consider adopting a large dog that can be trained to protect you and your family.
Always lock the windows in your home, no matter what floor they are on. This is often overlooked by many people because they do not think that a criminal will check them. This simply isn’t the case. This is often a weak area that criminals know about.
Regardless of how pleasant the previous tenants of your home are, it is important to replace the locks in your new home. This goes for both rentals and purchased homes, so be sure you talk to any landlord about getting the locks switched, or you can just do it on your own.
Don’t assume you’ll never be the victim of a crime; be proactive about securing your home. Avoid becoming paralyzed by fear, but don’t hesitate to make the prudent preparations. Remember the guidelines in this guide in order to improve your home’s security, so you can protect both you and your family.
Keep any valuables out of direct line of street-facing windows. If people can see a computer or large TV outside your house, thieves can also see it. Using curtains or blinds at your windows can help prevent people from seeing inside your house. Without blinds or drapes, anyone is able to view valuables in your home.
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